Buy or Sell: Halladay’s High Hopes for 2013
Posted by Ian Riccaboni, Thu, February 14, 2013 08:00 AM | Comments: 15
2013 Spring Training
Roy Halladay told reporters yesterday that he was ready to throw 320 innings in 2013 if that’s what it took for the Phillies to win the World Series. That’s right – Halladay is ready to throw 54 innings more than he has ever thrown before, becoming the first Phillies pitcher since Steve Carlton in 1972 to throw over 300 innings.
Halladay is ready to pitch 320 innings if that's what it takes to win a World Series. Photo: Miles Kennedy
He is planning on doing this the year after he is coming off his least healthy year since he became a Major Leaguer, the same year that his fastball lost, on average, 1.4 MPH from the year before.
While Halladay’s optimistic press conference yesterday is a staple of the eternal Spring, the Phillies will be depending heavily on bounce-back years Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley. Howard posted career lows in all three triple-slash categories (.219/.295/.423) and 44th out of 47 first basemen in fWAR in 2012. Utley, despite playing only 83 games, was the ninth most valuable second basemen in the Majors according to fWAR but did post career lows in batting average and slugging in seasons that he had 200 or more PA and had a declining batting average for the sixth straight season.
With two question marks in the outfield and question marks at every spot in the infield but shortstop, are you buying or selling Halladay’s high hopes for 2013?
Posts: 1 Crego
It’s spring training. It’s the time to let all logic out the window. Buy! Buy! Buy!
Posted: 09:32 AM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 0 Betasigmadeltashag
I really think Doc will have a big bounce back year. Even though it was due to injuries I think his limit innings last year will be good for this year. With Dic’s work ethic and off season conditioning I really think he will have a top 3-4 Cy Young year
Posted: 09:50 AM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 0 Don M
I’m buying… we might not see him as a CY Young contender anymore, but he’s not far removed from being considered the game’s best pitcher. If Halladay can give us close to 200 at his career averages: 3.31 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 6.9 SO/9
that will play huge in this rotation and go a long way towards a successful season
Posted: 10:03 AM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
agreed 1000%
Posted: 10:06 AM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 1103 Manny
Problem is: if we wanna have a legit shot at the playoffs Halladay needs to be his 2010 or 2011 version (sub-3.00 ERA, CY contender). The offense is weak (average at its best if Utley and Howard recover successfully) so pitching will have to carry us.. relying on Cole and Cliff just won’t be enough. We need three horses all posting ERAs under 3… simple as that.
Odds are stacked against us… but it is possible.
Posted: 10:24 AM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 0 Don M
I look at it as… we won 81 games last year – despite Utley, Howard, and Halladay missing half the season – and/or being injured and not playing up to expected levels.
There was no Stutes, Bastardo was far from what was expected, etc. .
How many games did they blow when leading in the 7th or 8th inning??
Lee had the stuff of a 15-20 game winner last year … Instead, he won 6 games.
I don’t think the Phillies are far off from playoff contention, and I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see them win 90+ (Vegas has their over/under at 87).
One of the biggest keys to the season is Charlie getting Young and Young off the field late in games with the lead … use the platoons and defensive substitutions effectively
Posted: 11:42 AM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Usually 36 year old pitchers ( he will be 36 in may) with 2700 career major league innings on thier arms dont get better. Unless its 1997 and you are Roger Clemens.
But if any player can do it its Halladay.
Of all the fossils Ruben has amassed. I think Halladay has the best chance to return to glory days.
I could see another Cy Young maybe in his future.
The other guys are shot.
Posted: 12:58 PM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 276 Jeff of Nova
Really Andrew……. are we going to have another season of you telling everyone that Howard, Utley, Rollins, and now Young etc are shot.
Take an optimistic pill.
Posted: 08:48 AM on February 15, 2013
Posts: 0 brooks
Yes Jeff, its Andrew being Andrew – and he adds some spark to this sight.
He wont change until or unless Howie does hit 50 hrs – he will come around then.
Posted: 10:12 AM on February 15, 2013
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
I am definitely of the firm belief that they can win 90 games. Like I’ve been saying, with Utley and Howard hopefully playing a good chunk of games right from the start…that alone is gonna boost the offense and the lineup. Add to that an improved bullpen…especially in the late innings getting to Papelbon and a healthier Halladay in the rotation and it could legitimately happen. And I don’t think Doc has to be an 18 game winner with a sub 3.00 ERA either. Just a solid year with him staying healthy.
Posted: 01:25 PM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 0 Ryne Duren
yea chuck i’m with you on the 90 win total. now i know i’ll contradict myself on this, but here goes. i think if the guys that were injured last yr. are almost close to what they should be and if the bullpen is better (which i believe is) and we’re not blowing games. it’s almost as though we made a hugh trade and got three really good players added to the team instead of having AAAA players in their spots. so i actually think if all goes as hoped they can win 95+.
now with that said, there are so many question marks, it’s almost inconcievable that every thing will work out to our advantage. and that’s where my contradiction lies. if it all doesn’t work out we could be looking at a sub 90 win team and third place. doe’s that make sense chuck.
Posted: 02:26 PM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 0 DCmikey
What is this Around the Horn? Buy or sell. Hahah c’mon.
Posted: 03:52 PM on February 14, 2013
Posts: 0 brooks
Ian, I find your article is wreaking of pessimism.
2 questions in the outfield – that I understand – but a question at each of the IF positions?
How is Rollins a question? What did he do or not do (aside from not winning an MVP award, hit .300 or steal over 40 bases) that would now put him in a questionable status?
OK, move to 3rd, Young a question? Honestly, he is probably the best answer the Phils have had at third base in very long time – yes, his defense is suspect but his hitting has been proven time and time again along with his clubhouse demeanor. I don’t see it.
Move to the right side – Howard had his first major setback of his career last year, he missed nearly 1/2 a season and probably should not have come back at all but who can deny the Phils second half record with him playing at first? One season of being injured and now he’s on your suspect list? Yes, he is getting older but Ian, not too old to prove a comeback.
And finally Utley – I suppose if there were any question in the IF for me it would be second base. Not because of Chase’s physical ability (if the Phils can savor 1/2 of his former production they are ahead) – only because of his health.
I think all of it should be health related Ian, not based on 1 down year. Lighten up!
Posted: 07:06 AM on February 17, 2013
Posts: 0 brooks
Rollins does get a the nod of approval – my mistake. He still is one of the best if not the best at his position in the game today.
Has the lineup been determined for the start of the season?
Rollins
Revere
Utley
Howard
Young
Ruf
Brown
Kratz
Posted: 07:26 AM on February 17, 2013
Posts: 0 hk
brooks,
Ian wrote, “question marks at every spot in the infield but shortstop” so he agrees with you on Rollins….as do I. However, I also think it’s at least a little pollyanna-ish to ignore that there are question marks about Howard’s and Utley’s ages and recent injury histories and Young’s age and his horrid defense.
Posted: 08:22 AM on February 17, 2013